AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, Master.”
“There’s a good boy.” Thorne stroked his cheek. “Do be sure to use your parasol, though, won’t you? I’d hate to see that pretty skin damaged in the sun.”
Haven walked tothe pets’ quarters with his heart in his throat. Sirene trailed several feet behind like a silent shadow. It had been several days since he’d seen Cypress, and truth be told, he preferred it that way. The human got under his skin, made him feel things he didn’t want to feel. It was like being confronted with a pain he’d long forgotten, a wound he’d thought healed. But seeing Cypress, being around him, tore open that scab and poured salt inside his bleeding flesh.
He motioned for Sirene to stand guard as he stepped inside the dimly lit chamber to find most of the pets lounging lazily, bored expressions on impassive faces. Some of them were wrapped in the arms of a vampyre, being fed from, bred, or otherwise incapacitated. In the corner, Haven spotted Merick feeding ferociously from a slim, female pet. He attempted not to meet the other vampyre’s eyes but was a moment too late.
Merick noticed him and immediately pulled away from his pet, lips still glimmering with blood as they stretched into a smile. “Why Lord Haven. I’m shocked. Is this your first time in the pets’ quarters?”
The pet scrambled away, wiping at her neck as Merick licked his fangs clean and rose to his feet.
Haven clicked his teeth.
“Finally ready to sink your teeth in and have a little taste, are you?”
Haven squared his shoulders, as he searched the room for Cypress, scanning the plain decor and simple cots that filled the space.
“Looking for your pet?”
Haven bristled. “Who else?”
Stepping forward, Merick held his hands up and shrugged. “I meant no offense. Did you come to collect him for the fights?”
Haven glared at him. “No.”
“Why not? He’d be perfect for them. You’d win big.”
“I’m not interested inwinning bigat something so barbaric.”
“Too bad. It’d be a good show if nothing else. They’re holding them today. Will you at least be in attendance? Or is watching too barbaric for you as well?”
Haven opened his mouth to respond when a familiar voice interrupted him.
“Lord Haven?” Cypress stood before him, observing him with suspicious eyes. Just behind him, the pet from whom Merick had been feeding stood shuddering as if seeking Cypress’s protection from her master.
“There you are,” Haven snapped. “Come. I’m taking you for a walk.”
Cypress blinked. “A walk? But it’s...day.”
“I’m well aware of that.” He held out the leash he’d come prepared with. It glittered silver in the low light. A leash well-suited for a pretty, spoiled pet. But Cypress wasn’t like the other pets. He’d likely revile against the finery, snap his teeth in derision. Ungrateful mutt.
“Do you have a...skin prepared then?” Cypress faltered.
Merick let out a loud, derisive laugh, catching the stares of many of the pets and vampyres around them. “A skin? On pretty Prince Haven? No way he’d let dead human flesh touch his perfect porcelain body!”
Haven cringed. He saw Cypress’s hands ball into fists at his sides.
“I won’t be wearing a skin today,” Haven replied coldly. “A parasol will do just fine.”
Merick continued to laugh to himself, shaking his head. “Of course you’d choose a parasol. But nothing feels quite so good as slipping into a fresh human skin, feeling it wrap right around your body like a cocoon. I do love that stretch. But you’ve probably never had the pleasure, have you, Haven?”
The human who stood behind Cypress swayed unsteadily on her feet. Haven watched as Cypress held out a hand to her.
“Enough,” Haven hissed. “Pet, come here.”
Cypress approached, eyes wary.
“Bow your head.” Cypress did as he was told to allow Haven to slip the chain around his neck and pull it taut. It locked around itself, tightening when Haven tugged. It would likely cut off all airflow if Haven pulled hard enough.He thought about it. Only briefly.
